Strategic Replacement Heifer Selection at Weaning

Originally written by Taylor Grussing, former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. Now that calves are weaned and pregnancy checks are occurring, it’s time to start thinking about selecting replacement heifers to breed in the spring. Due to the differences in goals and needs between operations, there is no one size fit’s all selection equation that producers can follow. However, there are some common characteristics and questions that all producers should consider to help…

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Forage Sampling Procedures

Warren Rusche Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist Proper sampling of forage is essential if we want to obtain an accurate indication of the nutrient composition, dry matter content, or value of any feedstuff. Correct sampling and analysis is even more important under conditions that might increase feedstuff variability, such as challenging growing conditions. Sampling procedures vary depending upon the type of forage and whether or not sampling occurs pre-harvest or after…

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Roll of Victory winners awarded at 2021 National Angus Convention and Trade Show

Accomplished show cattle and breeders recognized at annual Awards Dinner. The Angus breed had many reasons to celebrate legendary progress at the 2021 National Convention and Trade Show, and show ring accomplishments were no exception. The Roll of Victory (ROV) Show Heifer of the Year, ROV Show Bull of the Year and ROV Breeder of the Year were named at the Awards Dinner held at the National Angus Convention and Trade Show on…

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Cattle Chat: Vaccine handling tips

K-State beef cattle veterinarian shares best practices for vaccine management   MANHATTAN, Kan. — One of the many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of handling vaccines properly. That is true not only for this vaccine, but for all biologic products in both human and animal medicine, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast.   Many factors can interfere with a vaccine’s efficacy, according…

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Coyote populations continue to grow throughout U.S.

K-State expert says trapping is best way to resolve interactions with livestock MANHATTAN, Kan. – If it seems like there are a lot more coyotes mingling in human spaces these days, it’s because…well, there are. “When we look at abundance trends, the population of coyotes has increased three-fold since the fur market crashed in the late 1980s,” said Drew Ricketts, a wildlife management specialist with K-State Research and Extension. Depending on time of…

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